RFAs: Regional Challenge Research Initiative (Australia)

Deadline: 05-Oct-2026

The Regional Challenge Research Initiative (RCRI) is offering AUD $50,000 to AUD $145,000 grants for collaborative applied research projects addressing circular economy, waste reduction, and sustainable resource use challenges across the Asia-Pacific region. The Alpha Cohort is expected to fund around 4–5 projects, with successful projects running for 12–15 months and led by Australian research institutions working with regional partners. What Is the Regional Challenge Research Initiative? The Regional Challenge Research Initiative (RCRI) is a multi-country applied research funding programme focused on solving major sustainability challenges in the Asia-Pacific region. The initiative is delivered by the International Science Council Regional Focal Point for Asia and the Pacific and hosted by the Australian Academy of Science. RCRI supports challenge-driven research that moves beyond academic findings to produce practical solutions, evidence, tools, models, and approaches that can be adopted by communities, industries, governments, and other stakeholders. The Alpha Cohort supports applied research that can help transform how materials and resources are designed, produced, used, recovered, and reintegrated into economic and community systems. Projects should demonstrate a credible pathway toward circular economy outcomes, including keeping materials and products in use for longer, reducing waste, improving resource efficiency, and creating systems that are more resilient. The programme particularly encourages research addressing the following systems: Projects should address real-world regional challenges rather than focus solely on theoretical research. Why It Matters Asia-Pacific countries face interconnected challenges involving waste generation, resource consumption, urbanisation, climate change, supply chains, and economic development. Circular economy approaches can help reduce pressure on natural resources by changing how products and materials are designed, consumed, reused, repaired, recovered, and recycled. RCRI aims to support research that can contribute to this transition by generating practical solutions that work across different countries and socioeconomic contexts. Successful projects are expected to produce: Evidence for decision-making Actionable research findings Practical tools and models New data and methodologies Policy-relevant insights Approaches that can be adopted or scaled Stronger regional research partnerships Grant Amount and Project Duration Successful applicants can receive between AUD $50,000 and AUD $145,000 per project.

Key funding details include:

Minimum grant: AUD $50,000

Maximum grant: AUD $145,000

Total funding pool: Approximately AUD $580,000

Expected awards: Approximately 4–5 projects

Project duration: 12–15 months

Projects must be realistically achievable within the approved funding amount and timeframe. Who Is Eligible? RCRI is designed for collaborative regional consortia led by an Australian legal entity. Who will use the resulting evidence, tools, or models. How partners will test or apply the results. How the solution could be transferred or scaled. What longer-term benefits could result from the project. Projects should therefore establish a clear connection between research activities, outputs, early outcomes, adoption, and regional impact. Required Application Components Applications should provide a clear and structured description of the proposed project.

Required materials include:

Project summary Details of the lead organisation Research team information Regional partner details Project workplan Detailed budget Short introductory video Letters of support from all project partners The application should clearly explain the roles and contributions of each consortium member. How to Apply Applicants should follow the programme’s application process and prepare the required information before submission.

Step 1: Form an Eligible Consortium

Identify an Australian lead organisation and establish partnerships with at least two organisations located elsewhere in the Asia-Pacific region.

Step 2: Define the Regional Challenge

Clearly identify the circular economy, waste, or sustainable resource-use problem that affects the participating countries or communities.

Step 3: Develop the Research Approach

Explain the research methodology, activities, timeline, expected outputs, and responsibilities of each partner.

Step 4: Establish the Impact Pathway

Show how the research will generate practical solutions and how those solutions could be adopted by industry, government, communities, or other relevant users.

Step 5: Prepare the Budget

Ensure the proposed activities are achievable within the AUD $50,000–$145,000 grant range and project duration.

Step 6: Collect Supporting Documents

Prepare the project summary, partner information, workplan, budget, introductory video, and letters of support.

Step 7: Submit the Application

Submit the complete application through the designated RCRI application process before the relevant deadline. Assessment Criteria Applications are expected to be assessed on several key factors. Alignment With the Challenge The proposal should directly address the circular economy, waste reduction, or sustainable resource-use focus of the Alpha Cohort. Practical Relevance Research should respond to genuine challenges faced by communities, industries, governments, or other users in the Asia-Pacific region. Pathway to Adoption Applicants should demonstrate how research findings, tools, models, or solutions could be used in practice. Consortium Strength The partnership should include organisations with complementary expertise and a strong understanding of the regional context. Value for Money The proposed activities, outputs, outcomes, and budget should be proportionate and achievable. Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid proposals that:

Focus mainly on theoretical research without a practical applicatio